Faithfulness: The Scale of Success

How do you measure success?

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I scanned my emails again, paying close attention to the date. A publisher had acknowledged receipt of my submission and called it exceptional. This one is definitely getting published, I thought to myself, already celebrating. However it was two months later, and after sending a follow-up email, I had yet to receive another response. Was it not good enough? Did she lose my information? Why can’t I get this particular article published? Are my opinions too strong? Theology weak? What went wrong? What if I don't get published again this year?

Measuring my achievements as the scale of success is my default too often. From an early age, I've learned to work toward achieving ribbons, stickers, high grades, and awards. My strivings point me toward earning what I believe I deserve. This philosophy is meant to motivate me to work hard yet can cripple me when I misinterpret my gold stars—or lack thereof—as determining my worth.

That’s not the way it works in God’s economy. 

In the book of Matthew, and again in Luke, Jesus tells a parable. A parable is an analogy that uses earthly elements to explain a heavenly concept. Jesus spoke of a master who gave his servants varying amounts of coinage, according to their abilities. After some time, each servant returned to the master, two having doubled their investments, while the last only hoarded it. The master praises his two servants for investing well and admonishes the one who did nothing with his gift. Yet the master did not praise the servants because of how much they accumulated.

If God played it by our rules, the master would have told them, “Well done, my good and successful servant.” Or rich servant. Or intelligent servant. Or a "busy-in-the-right-things" servant. But that is not what our heavenly master values. Instead, the master in this story—an imperfect example of the perfect Master—tells them, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (See Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:11-26).

Faithfulness is discipline. Faithfulness is finishing what we start, even if we experience resistance. Faithfulness is intentional and consistent action. Faithfulness is, sometimes, not achieving the desired result. It is not succeeding at everything we face. It is not overcoming all the odds. Faithfulness is seeing the odds, feeling their crush—and showing up anyway.

Faithfulness perfected is in the heavenly father. His steadfast love persists through our rebellion and betrayal. His redemptive plan has stayed in place regardless of how humanity has rejected his loving kindness meant to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). His promises are grounded on his character—his great faithfulness—to do exactly what he says he will do. Our entire hope of salvation is based upon his unchanging character, a truth revealed through the Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and the Word made flesh (John1:14). 

What is the Lord asking you to be faithful to in this season? Results are not required—only your obedience.

God calls us to be faithful with the time, talents, and treasures entrusted to us. In the parable, the master granted his favor and joy to his faithful servants. One day, we all will stand before the Holy God, our judge and master. May our lives display the fruits of our obedience by saying that we made it to the end, a faithful servant of the cross. And in return, we will have favor and joy in his presence—forevermore.